Research jobs in Singapore

The Centre for Maritime Law (CML) at the Faculty of Law, National University of Singapore, was launched on 3 September 2015 and focuses broadly on maritime law. It undertakes research and hosts events of scholarly value to academics, professionals, and local government institutions. Its objective is to enhance the development of commercial maritime law in Singapore, the region, and further afield. CML’s achievements include a well-regarded Working Paper Series (WPS), available at https://law.nus.edu.sg/cml/publications/, and the CML CMI Database, Judicial Decisions on International Conventions, available at https://cmlcmidatabase.org/, the leading database of its kind in maritime law.

The Director of CML is Professor Stephen Girvin, MPA Professor of Maritime Law.

CML is inviting applications from suitable candidate(s) at the beginning of their professional careers to conduct research and participate in CML’s work. Depending on qualifications, background and expertise, the successful applicant(s) may be appointed as a Research Assistant, Research Associate, Research Fellow, or Senior Research Fellow in CML.

The successful applicant(s) will join CML’s full-time and Adjunct research staff (see https://law.nus.edu.sg/cml/personnel/).

The position(s) will carry the following benefits:

1. Employment on a full-time contract at NUS Law for one year, subject to funding. A renewal for a further year may be offered, subject to satisfactory performance and funding.
2. A remuneration package commensurate with qualifications and experience.
3. Allocation of designated workspace within CML.
4. Access to CML’s in-house library of major maritime and commercial law texts and subscription databases, including i-law and Lloyd’s List.
5. Access to the CJ Koh Law Library, one of the leading law libraries in SE Asia, and home to an important collection of legal resources on the law of Singapore and other common law jurisdictions. The Library has an extensive international and comparative law and maritime law collection and provides access to an outstanding range of online databases.

The duties associated with the position(s) are as follows:

1. The successful applicant must be in residence throughout his or her appointment, subject to the NUS standard annual leave (28 working days per calendar year).
2. Depending on experience, the successful applicant will be expected to develop his or her own research agenda, undertaking research projects on commercial maritime law.
3. The research agenda must include publication (or acceptance for publication) in an English-language refereed journal during his or her term of appointment and at least one working paper accepted for publication in the CML Working Paper Series (https://law.nus.edu.sg/cml/publications/).
4. The successful applicant will be required to present his or her research and participate in and contribute to CML’s in-house seminars and the weekly Mondays@10.30 meeting.
5. The successful applicant will assist in CML’s research projects and initiatives, including but not limited to the CML CMI Database Judicial Decisions on International Conventions (https://www.cmlcmidatabase.org/).
6. As a successful applicant appointed at the level of Research Assistant will normally act as a research assistant to the Director of CML or, depending on future career plan, to work on his or her own research.

The selection committee will consider the following criteria in making an appointment for the position of Research Fellow in CML:

1. The successful applicant must be of exceptional calibre and able to work largely independently with minimal guidance and within agreed timelines.
2. For appointment as a Research Fellow, a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in commercial maritime law is essential.
3. Applications are invited from those with interests in any branch of commercial maritime law, admiralty law, or marine insurance law, broadly understood, including the international sale of goods carried by sea, maritime conflict of laws, maritime dispute resolution (including maritime arbitration, especially in the Asian context), and offshore oil and gas and energy law.
4. Demonstrated interest in contemporary developments in maritime law is essential, as is a proposal complementary to the interests of CML’s existing research staff.
5. Applications are not invited from persons whose primary interests fall with in the international law of the sea, ocean law and policy, or international environmental law. Applicants with interests in these fields should apply for positions, when available, in the Centre for International Law (CIL) or the Asia-Pacific Centre for Environmental Law (APCEL).

Applications must comprise:

1. Covering letter – The covering letter should explain the reason for your interest in a position in CML, why you believe you meet the requirements for the position for which you are applying, and address your ability to perform the duties listed above.
2. Curriculum Vitae – A detailed curriculum vitae should be submitted containing complete and detailed information on academic institutions, honours, awards, all publications to date, and all professional experience (current and previous, including dates of employment and job descriptions).
3. Letters of Recommendation – The application must be supported by two references from academic referees. Applicants must arrange for their referees to send references to lawresearchappt@nus.edu.sg by the closing date.
4. Closing Date – The closing date for the receipt of applications and references is 30 December 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
5. Shortlisting and Interview – Shortlisted applicants can expect to be interviewed by end-Jan 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted concerning the status of their application.